3G Network Launched in Spain

Telefonica has launched a pre-commercial 3G network in Spain. Telefonica Moviles will distribute the first UMTS PCMCIA cards to its corporate customers, enabling them to access all UMTS 'Oficina MoviStar' data services (internet, intranet and e-mail) from a laptop PC at speeds of up to 384 kbit/s. These cards will be given out to corporate customers and institutions in various sectors (banking, insurance, autos, etc.) located in specific areas of the 40 cities where Telefonica Moviles currently has 3G coverage.

In this way, Telefonica Moviles meets the strategic commitment made with the Spanish government last December, whereby the pre-commercial launch of the first UMTS service was set for the last quarter of 2003 and the commercial launch of 3G services was scheduled to begin in 2004, subject to handset availability.

Telefonica Moviles Espana also plans to invest around US$1.2 billion in 3G infrastructure between 2003-2006. The company's target is to have coverage in the 52 provincial capitals of Spain by the end of this year and between 7,000 and 8,000 UMTS base stations in 2005.

Oficina MoviStar UMTS will be one of TME's star products and it will be presented by the group at the next SIMO Trade Fair to be held on November 4 - 9 in the Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I in Madrid. At this international IT, multimedia and communications Trade Fair, the company will also present its 'Videotelefonia UMTS' service, which allows customers to listen to and watch other clients at the same time. This service is already available technically, but will not be available commercially for a few months."

Posted to the site on 30th October 2003